What do you get when you cross a kilt-wearing bagpiper, some traditional Irish songs, Irish dancers, electric guitars, and a crowd full of jumping, screaming fans? The Dropkick Murphys. And in their latest CD/DVD LIVE ON LANSDOWNE, BOSTON MA, available today March 16th (just in time for St. Patrick’s day), the band is at their finest. Studio recordings don’t manage to capture the full spirit of a band such as the Dropkick Murphys. They feed off the energy in the crowd and pour that raucous enthusiasm into their music.
Their performance last year for St. Patrick’s day was not a performance for band and spectators, but an experience for all. The fans are just as important in this experience as the band, shouting along the lyrics, clapping, pumping their fists in the air, and crowd surfing. During their performance of the ever popular “Kiss Me, I’m S&!%faced”, the band even invites the ladies of the audience up onto the stage to sway and sing along.
The album’s 20-song set list (including “Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya”, “Fields of Athenry”, “Tessie”, “The Dirty Glass,” and “(F)lannigan’s Ball”) is completely different from DKM’s 2002 album Live On St. Patrick’s Day From Boston MA but follows the same tradition. This album includes a special guest appearance by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones on DKM’s platinum-selling single “Shipping Up to Boston.”
Tomorrow wraps up DKM’s seven shows in six days at Boston’s House of Blues. In April they continue their tour in the UK, and then return to the US for the Bonnaroo Festival in Manchester, TN this June and the Vans Warped Tour in August. If you can’t make it to any of the live dates and will miss out on the fun in person, this album is the next best thing. This is a group of talented musicians who seamlessly blend Celtic and punk genres and traditions into one of the most unique sounds you’ll ever hear. Their energy is absolutely infectious. It isn’t something you can listen to in the background as you wash the dishes and file your toenails. Live on Lansdowne shoves itself to the forefront and demands not only to be heard but to be experienced. You’ll want to paint yourself green, shoot some whiskey, and jump around with your fist in the air.
If you’re already a DKM fan, you’ll want this for your collection. If you aren’t a fan yet, this is the perfect album to get you properly introduced to this group of Celtic punk stars. Even if you’ve never heard the Dropkick Murphys before, you’ll still find familiar tunes on the album. You’ll find yourself singing along before the album has played all the way through even once. Irish or not, do yourself a St. Patty’s day favor and pick up The Dropkick Murphys Live on Lansdowne, Boston, MA , raise a pint, and enjoy.
originally posted at blogcritics.org
The Blargh Critic 